Llangollen Canal - Day 2

We awoke at sunrise (sounds early - but really it was 7:30am) a little stiff from the narrow beds and glad to find that we hadn't drifted off our mooring pins into the middle of the canal. Lynne spent most of the night dodging bed springs in an attempt to find a comfy spot. She ended up sleeping on the edge of the bed :(

After breakfast and a quick stretch of our legs along the tow path we "de-moored" and headed for our first challenge of the day - the New Marton Locks - about a mile away. Just before the lock we pulled up to refill our water tank. Although 140 gallons it was suggested we top it up daily. Even though we were careful with the showers it still required a fair amount of water. Not to mention some effort to get ourselves sorted to tie the boat up to the bollards. (I think I may have been a bit bossy here...) Fortunately we soon got the hang of mooring Lucy. Merrilyn was at the bow and Lynne at the stern.

Ok - so with water on board we reviewed the basic lock operation.
1. Check that we had right of way.
2. Ensure that the gates are closed.
3. Ensure that the paddles (sluices) are closed.
4. Open paddles to bring lock water level up as needed.
5. When the water level has equalised, open the lock gates to allow Lucy in. If the levels aren't equalised the water pressure will stop the gates from opening. Even the slightest imbalance will keep them closed tight.
6. Drive Lucy into the lock (trying not to hit anything).
7. Close one set of paddles and open the other - lowering/raising the lock water level.
8. Close the paddles.
9. Open the gates and exit...

... Phew! As we waited for our turn (there were a few boats downstream of us) we got chatting to a bloke that was stuck at the lock last night. Apparently one of the gates had jammed requiring an early morning trip out by British Waterways to fix it. Not good. Shortly a boat exited the lock and it was our turn. Merrilyn & Lynne set the lock and I carefully drove Lucy in. Talk about threading a needle. Think of a 69ft boat feeding into a channel with inches either side. And the lock is about 75ft long so we didn't have much room left. In fact, much to the disgust of an onlooker, a came in a little fast a bumped against the front gates rather hard. Oops. I later learnt to use much more reverse thrust so that Lucy came to a halt before the gates! All part of the learning curve.

When it came time to open the gates after lowering the water level we discovered that one jammed before it could be completely opened. To our horror we realised that Lucy was stuck in the lock! There were other fellow travellers that came to offer advice. We tried raising and lowering the water level, opening and closing the paddles/gates. All to no avail. We decided to reset the lock and back Lucy out. Another boat used the lock heading upstream in the opposite direction. Of course, they had no problem. So in we sent again - only to find that the other gate was now stuck. Could you believe it!

This particular lock had a keeper's house that, whilst unattended, did have a few odd tools lying around. One chap grabbed a long handled hoe and scraped around at the base of the gate. Lynne used another to help grapple what seemed to be an enormous object that was propping the gate open. It didn't take Lynne long to organise the troops and we used a rope from Lucy to lasso the object. It turned out to be an enormous log. It seems this was swirling around at the base of the lock in the current jamming first one gate and then the other. With this obstacle removed we found the gates opened without difficulty and we were on our way. Fair to say we were a little frazzled by our first lock experience - taking an hour to traverse.

Fortunately the only other lock - New Marton Lower Lock - only a few hundred yards away - was no such problem. Easy peasy.

We made our way through peaceful fields slowing to negotiate the odd moored boat. Although we did have more excitement in store. As you approach a bridge you can determine the angle of approach based on the orientation of the arch. In one case I came across a bridge almost side on - indicating a sharp right hand bend. I slowed Lucy - although not enough. As I swung her into a tight turn there was a little too much momentum and we started veering towards the bank. Before I could reverse enough I felt Lucy bury herself in the gravel. We were grounded. Not to worry. Simply reverse out I thought. 30 seconds of full reverse and of course we hadn't moved an inch. Although we did start to attract attention from the locals at the adjacent pub and the boathouse opposite. Definitely not good. There was no option. We had to break out the pole, and between the three of us, heave poor Lucy off the bottom. A little chastened we were on our way.

The canal branches first at Lower Frankton and then at Ellsemere. We decided to get some supplies at Ellsemere so moored near Red Bridge. It was an easy stroll down the short canal branch to town. At the end of the branch is a turning point (which we were to have yet another experience with some days later - stay tuned), with a canalside crane once used for loading the boats. James gave us a detailed description of how all the cogs, pins, and ropes worked. So cute!

With supplies on board - including replenished wine! - we continued the afternoon journey past Blake Mere to a gorgeous Cole Mere. We couldn't believe how picturesque this spot was. We moored Lucy under the arching branches of oaks in autumn colour and with a view overlooking the lake. Being about 5pm we quickly locked up and set off on a walk around the lake. Shortly after crossing the canal by bridge we discovered a beautiful thatched cottage. Could this be more perfect. I particularly enjoyed walking through the woods with the leaves falling about us. James and I chatted about adventuring and exploring. About half way around was a marina and, of course, a church that we just had to visit. We met a couple preparing for a harvest celebration that evening at the church.

Circumnavigating the lake we arrived back at Lucy to find that one other boat had moored at our spot. And who could blame them. After another meal and a few good toasts we off to bed wondering what the next day held in store.

Photos are here.